Public speaking, moving, starting a new job: These are often listed in polls among the most stressful things in life. Usually, not far behind is throwing a party.

However, that anxiety is mostly misplaced. There are lots of quick and easy tricks you can tuck inside the sleeve of your party outfit, like mixing a dynamic liqueur into chili the way ordinary ale often is, or creating a custom ice cream flavor for your guest of honor.

Food preparation — whether for every day or a great gala — can be easy, nutritious, inexpensive, fun and fast, as these split-second sensations prove. They take just 10 seconds each to read and are almost that quick to prepare. The dishes are delicious proof that everyone has time for tasty home cooking and, more importantly, the healthy family time in the kitchen that goes along with it!

Another benefit: You effortlessly become a better cook since there are no right or wrong amounts. These are virtually-can’t-go-wrong combinations, so whatever you — or your family helpers — choose to use can’t help but draw wows at your next fiesta!

APPETIZERS

Cheers for Homemade Chips

The trend in the supermarket chip aisle is gourmet chips. Choices like a spicy and sophisticated Garden Salsa variety from whole-grain Sun Chips and Tostitos Artisan Recipes Roasted Garlic and Black Bean chips abound. These are excellent, but it’s also easy to prepare your own creations.

Some ideas (for each, preheat oven to 300 F and place tortilla chips on a baking sheet that’s been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and then also lightly spray the chips with the nonstick cooking spray before topping and placing in oven for 5 minutes, or until warmed):

• Sprinkle your tortilla chips with cayenne and then top with very finely diced small amounts of jalapeno (wearing latex gloves when chopping and not touching your eyes during or afterward) and Monterey Jack cheese.

• Often, folks add ale or beer to chili; it’s a wonderful addition. But for something unique, before heating chili, mix in a few dashes of your favorite liqueur, like framboise, the French raspberry brandy, or amaretto, the famous almond liqueur.

DESSERTS

A Personalized Prized Dessert

Not too long ago, like for singers Elton John and Jerry Garcia, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream named a flavor after “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon. “Late Night Snack” is vanilla ice cream with salty caramel and fudge-covered potato chips. Consider serving a concoction you title after your party’s guest of honor based on his or her taste buds.

Lisa Messinger is a first-place winner in food writing from the Association of Food Journalists and the author of seven food books, including “Mrs. Cubbison’s Best Stuffing Cookbook” and “The Sourdough Bread Bowl Cookbook.”